Mac News and Rumors for September 23rd

We’re back for our latest edition of News and Rumors. First, we’ll hear about AT&T finally upgrading to 4G speeds and get word about the new iPad: when it’ll hit shelves and a brand new feature it’ll boast. We also hear from Apple about the iTunes Store and discover a new company it has purchased. Finally, we’ll check out a killer promotion at PokerStars.
AT&T Will Launch 4G Network by 2011

FireceWireless.com is reporting that AT&T will be releasing the 4G network inside the United States by the middle of next year. The carrier has in the past said that it is investing millions of dollars to upgrade its 3G network to support those that will not receive 4G once it rolls out. AT&T announced in January that it had finished upgrading all of its 3G cell towers to accommodate HSPA 7.2 data speeds, but that upgrades to connections were required before the speed would become available.
New iPad Coming Q1 2011?

As a general rule, us Apple people know not to get attached too heavily to our first generation hardware from Apple because a new cycle is usually only six months away. The rumor mill is churning once again that touch panel and glass suppliers are completing validation for Apple’s second generation iPad. Shipments are expected at the beginning of the new year, with the product launching sometime in the first quarter of 2011. Apple is rumored to be adding a front-facing camera to the iPad to support FaceTime video conferencing.

Warner Brothers Out of TV Show Rentals on iTunes

The Associated Press has reported that Warner Brothers is refusing to allow its shows to join the Apple $0.99 TV show rental program inside iTunes based on pricing concerns and fear that individual show rentals will hurt sales of full-season packages. ABC and Fox were launch partners in the program.

Apple Reportedly Buys Face Recognition Company

According to a report from Mac1, Apple has bought Swedish face recognition developer Polar Rose. This company has developed several tools related to face recognition, including server- and client-side mobile applications.

If you haven’t noticed already, Poker Stars is promoting the dealing of its 50 billionth hand by giving away a ton of money. At the cash games, players dealt to in every one-millionth hand will receive $50 for every VPP earned in the last 50 hands at that table, with the winner of the hand getting their prize doubled. The milestone hand was actually dealt on Wednesday.

There are special Sit and Gos running along with a First Depositor Freeroll, which you can gain access to by reloading into your account. Finally, there is a special $50 instant cash credit available in the FPP Store that will cost just 3,000 FPPs.

Now that Party Gaming owns the World Poker Tour, we’re seeing a lot more qualifiers to WPT events show up at PartyPoker. Right now, there are two tournaments you can win entry into, the first ever WPT Amneville tour stop and the WPT Festa al Lago Las Vegas event.